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Ruby Went To School Today

from BARD COMPANY: Northern Powerhouse by BARD COMPANY

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lyrics

Ruby Went To School Today

In November 1960, Ruby Nell Bridges became the first black pupil to attend William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana after she passed the entrance test at a time when segregated schooling was declared unconstitutional; in her adult life she became an activist in the US Civil Rights Movement.

They segregate to educate
To teach their children how to hate
To close their minds and close the gates
Use entrance tests to seal their fate
To build brick walls in southern states
And keep intruders in their place
All their hearts were filled with hate
Yet still they sang Amazing Grace

CHORUS
And they screamed and cursed
And they booed and hissed
And they spat at her
And they shook their fists
A baying herd of supremacists
They shamed the USA
But Ruby went to school today
Ruby went to school

You can be any colour you like
To join our school, as long as you’re white
It’s in your genes, you won’t be bright
You’ll never learn to read and write
But Ruby Nell she took a stance
She passed the test at William Frantz
Demanded that she earned her chance
led racist folk a merry dance

CHORUS
BREAK

A tiny coffin, black doll inside
They threatened poison to the child
But Ruby Nell walked on with pride
With federal marshals by her side
dad lost his job at the local store
Refused to serve them any more
The school saw all white kids withdraw
But Ruby Nell walked through that door

CHORUS [REPEAT x2]
Yes Ruby went to school today
Ruby went to school

credits

from BARD COMPANY: Northern Powerhouse, released July 28, 2022
Lyrics: Tony Kinsella
Music: John Kettle

license

all rights reserved

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